Finnish Presidency of the Council of the European Union Permanent Council No. 626
The European Union would like to draw attention to the statement of the EU Presidency issued in Brussels and Helsinki on 15 September 2006 concerning the death in custody of Ogulsapar Muradova sentenced to a six year imprisonment on 28 August this year in Turkmenistan. In line with ChairmaninOffice and United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights the European Union urges the authorities in Turkmenistan to be fully transparent in this matter by making all relevant information available and providing the family of Mrs Muradova with comprehensive details.
The statement of 15 September reads as follows:
QUOTE It is with deep concern that the Presidency of the European Union has learned about the death in custody of Ogulsapar Muradova. The Presidency calls for an independent investigation into the cause of her death.
In this connection the Presidency also expresses its deep concern about the denial of access of observers to the trial against Ogulsapar Muradova, Annakurban Amanklychev and Sapardurdy Khadijev. This denial would appear to be in conflict with the individual’s right to a public hearing and it raises questions whether the proceedings in question constituted a fair trial or whether due process of law has been observed.
The European Union calls upon Turkmenistan to respect its obligations under international law and on the right to a fair trial.
The Presidency also urges the government of Turkmenistan to guarantee the safety of Mrs. Muradova’s family members and the two other detained persons. UNQUOTE
Furthermore, the European Union would like to express its concerns regarding the case of Mr. Kakabai Tedjenov. Mr Tedjenov was, reportedly, forcibly admitted to a psychiatric hospital in Turkmenabat in January 2006, and has allegedly since then been moved incommunicado between hospitals. The European Union calls upon Turkmenistan to provide information about his welfare and whereabouts and to treat this case in accordance with OSCE commitments.
The European Union recalls that it has repeatedly expressed its grave concern about the human rights situation in Turkmenistan. We urge the Turkmen government to implement fully its OSCE commitments and reiterate our readiness to assist Turkmenistan in this regard.
The Acceding Countries Bulgaria and Romania, the Candidate Countries Turkey, Croatia and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, the Countries of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidates Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, and Serbia, EFTA countries Iceland and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, as well as the Republic of Moldova align themselves with this statement.
European Union September 21, 2006
